Lake Wilderness Wildcat Word
March 2021
Online or in Person we are Wildcats Together!
Dear Families,
What a month! We’ve had some interesting weather and the excitement of new hybrid and online classes! It has been fun to “stop by” to see all our learners whether they are in the classroom or online, thank you all for navigating these important transitions with ease and positivity. With so many changes I’m reminded every day about the most amazing learning community I have joined. Thank you for playing a huge part in a successful hybrid opening and 100% online re-start! Here’s a look ahead:
March 1-5: Read Across America Week- fun activities planned; see below for information!
March 4: Supply Pickup (100% Online Students Only) 3:00-6:00 p.m.
March 18: Supply Pickup (100% Online Students Only) 3:00-6:00 p.m.
March 19: No School; inclement weather make-up day if needed
April 1: Supply Pickup (100% Online Students Only) 3:00-6:00 p.m.
*For Hybrid families, please remember to fill out the attestation link DAILY* When students arrive without the form filled out they visit the Wildcat Waiting room until you are able to do so. Thanks in advance for your help with this.
Thank you for your continued support and welcome back Wildcats!
Melanie Ready
Yearbook
Calling all Wildcats! It’s the final countdown! Yearbook ordering deadline is March 12. Don’t miss out on our one-of-a-kind yearbook book.
Order online today at: https://commpe.pictavo.com/PictavoSchool/FindSchool
Supply Pickup dates March
Placards:
If you received your placards last pickup with your family number, please hang those on your rearview mirror as you pull around.
If you were unable to receive your placard last pickup, please have an ID ready.
A message from our wonderful PTSA
Join us in a Week-Long Celebration of Science Learning
To sign up please click here to be directed to the PTSA submission page.
While some students have been able to return to the school for in-person hybrid learning, we are not yet able to fully return, so we will be having another Virtual Science Fair. We are dedicating a week to celebrating science and our students' science-based curiosity along with science themed at home activities. Students and budding scientists, we still need your help! All students are encouraged to participate by sharing a science project of something you are fascinated by.
No need to register to participate. Though we do have a permission form for parent/guardian to sign giving us permission to put your submission on our website so we can all enjoy each other’s projects and learn something about what you present. Please submit your project to science@lwptsa.org no later than May 20, 2021.
Choose your topic. Get ideas from your teacher, parents, friends, science books, newspaper articles, television, Internet, etc. Find a topic you are interested in. ScienceBuddies.org has a fantastic Topic Selection Wizard where you take a short quiz on what interests you and how much time you have to complete your project. It gives you suggestions based on your responses.
Choose your type of project. Students may choose one of the following project types. Older students (4th and 5th grades) are encouraged to do an “Experiment” project or an “Engineering” project. Given the special circumstances of physical isolation, please try to create a project or demonstration that you do not need to buy anything for. Stay home and stay safe!
Demonstration-Showing a scientific principle in action
- Examples --> How does a magnet work? What is an electric circuit? Can air pressure crush a can?
Model-Making a smaller, less complicated version to show a scientific principle
- Examples --> Making a radio, computer, telescope, periscope, volcano
Collection-Gathering and classifying objects to show a scientific principle
- Examples --> rock collection, insect collection, leaf collection
Survey-Collecting and interpreting data (Surveys differ from experiments because variables are not manipulated and no scientific principle is illustrated)
- Examples --> Which fast food restaurant uses the most paper? Do girls or boys have longer "pinky" fingers? Which weatherman has more accurate forecasts?
Experiment-Evidence of the scientific method is present on the display board
- Variables are manipulated and controlled
- Data is collected, recorded, and interpreted
- Experiments are repeatable. Similar results are collected and patterns should emerge from a large sample size or multiple trials.
Engineering- Evidence of the engineering design process is present on the display board
- Clearly defined problem
- Background research with bibliography
- Specify requirements of end product
- Show brainstorm of multiple solutions where the best solution was chosen
- Develop the solution, build a prototype, test and redesign
Presenting. You have a couple of options here. Choose a presentation type that works for you. Send in a short video (2-5 mins) of you explaining your project or send in photos and an explanation of your experiment. Something we can post on the website that shows your hard work and teaches us something new.
Awards. As these students are all in elementary school and the goal is building lifelong learners, this will not be a competitive event. All students are encouraged to share a science topic they are excited about and send in their presentation for posting on the website. All students who participate in creating a submission to be shared on the LWPTSA Science Fair website will be awarded a raffle ticket to enter for exciting prizes. Note: Posting on the website is not a requirement to receive a raffle entry. We just want to be able to see what all of our Wildcat friends worked on. Students are then encouraged to enjoy the event by viewing other student submissions. There will be additional opportunities to earn a raffle ticket by completing a science activity posted on the science fair website. Since many locations are currently closed or running with very limited capacity, we are limiting our raffle prizes this year to Scholastic books and science kits donated by the PTSA.
*Follow along with the fun on our Science Fair website sciencefair.lwptsa.org. All forms and information are available on the website as well as access to science activities that you can do at home.
The PTSA Needs You
LWES PTSA NEEDS YOU!
It’s finally 2021 and we at the PTSA are thinking ahead to Fall, when we might be able to resume our normal programs! In order to do so, we must have volunteers to fill our committee chairs. Several of our Executive Board Members have to leave their position because we have two year term limits. Without a dedicated chair, the program cannot take place. All positions can be co-chaired if desired!
Please contact us at president@lwptsa.org if you are interested in filling a role or hearing more about one. Meetings are generally the first Monday of the month, with exceptions for holidays, etc.
Elected Executive Board Positions Needed:
President: The president shall coordinate the work of the officers and committees of the association in order that the Purposes may be promoted; confirm that a quorum is present before conducting any business at any meeting of the association; call and preside over meetings as appropriate to the business of the Association. Also updates the website and administers the Facebook group, and meets regularly with the school staff. (This position requires a high level of work and lots of communication and oversight of chairs)
VP of Fundraising: Be the aide to the president, be in charge of all fundraising activities; and preside in the absence of the president. Attend all meetings and training as required by WSPTA. (This position requires lots of work during fundraisers and less work during off times)
VP of Membership: Be in charge of membership drive(s) and promote membership to the families through flyers or email, use MemberPlanet or the current PTA system to keep an accurate membership list and send out electronic membership invitations. Keep an accurate Member count and distribute the current membership list to the secretary as required. Attend all meetings and training as required by WSPTA. (This position requires the most work at the beginning of the school year, then less maintenance throughout the year)
Secretary: Record minutes of all meetings of the association; keep accurate record of attendance of Board Committee meetings; be responsible for correspondence; collect and preserve documents relating the history of the association; present a written report to the association as the official history to be adopted at the annual meeting; have a current copy of the bylaws; maintain the records retention policy; maintain the adopted ethics/conflict of interest policy as signed by the current executive board members, and maintain current membership list. Get the mail from the PO Box and the school PTSA box and distribute as required. Attend all meetings and training as required by WSPTA. (This position has a low level of steady work)
Treasurer: have custody of all funds of the association; keep books of accounts and records in accordance with the records retention policy; make disbursements in accordance with the budget adopted by the association; sign on bank accounts ; present a financial report, both written and verbal, at every meeting of the Local PTA and as requested; make a full report at annual meeting; be responsible for maintenance of such books of account and records; complete and file all necessary tax documents. Attend all meetings and training as required by WSPTA. (This position requires a high level of work and availability to come to the school regularly)
Vital Committee Chair Positions - these programs will not exist if volunteers are not found.
Popcorn - we would like to have at least 2 people to chair this position, our kiddos love their popcorn Fridays and we want to be ready to start up as soon as we are safely able! The Chairs coordinate volunteers to pop and sell popcorn each Friday during first recess. Purchase popcorn and supplies and train new volunteers as needed. (This chair has responsibilities all year long)
Book Fair - The Scholastic chairperson organizes and runs a book fair in the fall and spring for students, staff and parents to foster reading among the students and to raise funds for the PTA. This job is accomplished by promoting the Book Fair to the school community, directing the set up and operation of Fair, completes Financial Form, and submits payment to Scholastic Book Fairs. This position would also benefit from having several dedicated volunteers to assist with in-person fairs, so any interest is appreciated! (This chair has responsibilities all year long)
Family Fun Nights - we would like to have a committee of at least 3 people for this role to share in planning events, that way each chair is only responsible for one event each quarter! The Family Fun Nights chair(s) shall coordinate the monthly PTSA events and shall coordinate volunteers to assist in preparation, execution, and clean-up of the events. The chair(s) shall submit a flyer for paper or electronic distribution 1 month before the event to promote the event. The chair (s) shall send thank you notes to all businesses that provide supplies or services for the event. (This chair has responsibilities all year long)
Watch DOGS - The WatchDogs Chair promotes this wonderful program that encourages fathers and father - figures to visit campus. The goal of our program is to improve the well-being of our children by inspiring and equipping men to be more effectively involved in the lives of children. This position requires coordination with the school staff and teachers to create a schedule for each person to be as hands on with the students as possible! Attendance and coordination with the PTSA is required. (This chair has responsibilities all year long)
Spirit Wear - will be responsible for coordinating spirit wear orders with our supplier, and distributing orders when they arrive at the school. Our spirit wear ordering process is now online! (This chair is only active for a short time in the Fall but will have many responsibilities during that time)
Theater - The Missoula Children’s Theater Chair shall coordinate with the PTSA board of directors, school, and company to determine the best times to host a PTSA production and shall coordinate volunteers to assist in preparation, execution, and clean-up of the event. (This chair is only active for a short time in the Fall or Spring but will have many responsibilities during that time)
How can we encourage positive thinking and attitude in our kids?
Here are some ways to help will help promote that positivity:
1. Create a positive thinking routine. Find one thing that went well for them each day and as much as possible, no matter how small this event might be. It could be a yummy treat for lunch, a good grade on an assignment, or the bus being on time. Practicing this as a family can help too. You could even start a daily gratitude journal noticing the things that go well.
When undesirable events do happen, you can practice finding one thing that might be good from it. Focusing on the positive rather than the negative will help us all become happier. If you teach your child to have an optimistic view of solving problems with such words as “I can handle life’s challenges,” then later when confronted with an obstacle, your child can tell himself, “I can find a solution. I can keep trying.”
2. Focus on their strengths.
· Ask them to write a list that describes what they are good at doing or what innate qualities they possess, such as having an engaging smile or being good at dancing or reading.
· Place in several different locations throughout the house, such as on the refrigerator, on the bathroom mirror, or above their beds.
· After days of seeing the list, they may internalize the ideas and gradually adopt the “I-can” attitude.
3. Consider what you do when you are feeling stressed so they will start to find those things to cope too. While caregivers can’t expect to always feel cheerful, they can use their difficult moments as opportunities to teach their children to be effective problem solvers, deal with negative or difficult feelings in productive ways, and handle challenging situations proactively.
Attention, Wildcats: Were you not able to attend school picture day?
- In a Google Chrome browser, go to: https://commpe.pictavo.com/PictavoSchool/FindSchool
- Search for Lake Wilderness or use the code: 93800
- Click 'Create Account'
- Use your email address to make your account (you only need to do this once!)
- Click on the blue 'Upload Images' bar
- Select the image to upload
- Choose the Student Portrait album to upload the imago to
- Don't forget to "Tag" your student's name and teacher
Congratulations, You've completed the upload and supported the yearbook! There is no limit to how many photos you can upload, so keep them coming!
For assistance with Pictavo Community, please call, Pictavo Technical Support 1-800-290-0036
Food Service
For those families remaining virtual, just a reminder that we have curbside meal service at Tahoma High School.
AM pick up 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Mid-day pick up 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
https://www.tahomacommunications.com/food-service
To view the March lunch menu please click here.
Library Corner
Read Across America Week is March 1-5.
Library books can be returned at every supply pick up. Please login in to your library account to see what books are checked out in your student’s name, or refer to the receipt that is included with each check out.
Thank you!
Lake Wilderness Elementary School
Email: lwoffice@tahomasd.us
Website: tahomasd.us
Location: 24216 Witte Road SE
Phone: 4254133500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lwptsa.org